Not on the ground, Clete thought, but on the step. Was that on purpose? I've had about all of this I can take.
First the Mallin family shook everybody's hand in the reception line.
That handshake and smile, Henry, are even more magnificently insincere than yesterday. Have you been practicing, or are you just hungover?
Henry Mallin next kissed his daughter, then subjected himself to the effu-sive greeting of Beatrice Frade de Duarte, who was obviously enjoying the re-ception line.
Pamela Mallin kissed him.
It's nice when Pamela kisses me that way, sort of motherly.
El Kid Brother is a little sheepish. He knows I'm pissed. Good. I am. No-body likes a squealer.
"A beautiful service, I thought," Claudia Carzino-Cormano said, both shak-ing his hand and kissing him. "And the two of you were handsome."
You've lost just as much as I did, Claudia. Maybe more. You spent most of your life with him, and he never married you. Because of me. And then he got killed, also because of me. If I were you, I don't think I'd like me. You should have been sitting where Dorotea sat, and we both know it.
"I'd like to talk you, if we can find time, Claudia."
"We'll make time."
Isabela Carzino-Cormano kissed his cheek with about as much enthusiasm as Henry Mallin shook his hand.
The feeling is mutual, Se¤orita. Go fuck yourself.
"I felt a little better when I saw Dorotea sitting there with you," Se¤orita Alicia Carzino-Cormano said.
"You're very sweet. Did I ever tell you that?"
"Again, my condolences, Se¤or Frade," Major Freiherr Hans-Peter von Wachtstein said, clicking his heels and bowing as he shook Clete's hand.
"I found that letter we were looking for," Cl
ete said softly. "Don't leave be-fore we have a chance to talk."
Peter nodded and moved on. El Capitan Roberto Lauffer was next in line.
He heard what I said to Peter. And so did the Jesuit.
"When it's convenient, I would like to take that material off your hands."
"Just as soon as this is over."
And Welner heard that, too. I wonder how much he knows?
It was half an hour before the last of the guests and estancia workers had made their way through the line, and Father Welner could tug on the Bishop's vestments.
"Se¤or Frade suggests that you might like to have a coffee with him when-ever you're ready," Welner said.
The Bishop beamed at Clete and then went into the house, trailed by the others.
"Thank God that's over," Dorotea said. "I need to find a loo in the worst way."
"The worst way is probably blindfolded," Clete said solemnly.
It took her a moment to understand what he considered to be humor.
"And I'm going to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you?" she asked incredulously, and went quickly into the house.